What You Can Do Today to Gain Traction on Instagram

No matter the size of your company, there is value for you on Instagram. As the fourth-most downloaded mobile app in the United States, Instagram actually works to even the playing field a bit- providing local businesses an opportunity to compete alongside major brands. However, being a part of the mix of business accounts – and even personal accounts! – with millions of dedicated followers can be frustrating and overwhelming, but if you feel ready to give up on Instagram, don’t! By keeping a few essentials in mind, you can optimize your Instagram usage and take advantage of the many opportunities this network has to offer.

First, let’s talk content. People buy from brands they like and trust – and what’s the simplest way to build this trust with your audience? Consistently produce creative, yet strategic, content. Start by creating a witty, yet informative account bio that leaves users wanting more. Be sure to link to your website or your blog within your bio as well!

When it comes to posting content, live video, and video content in general, has strong leverage. Additionally, be sure to utilize Instagram stories for releasing unique content that gives users an authentic glimpse of your brand in real time. Stories also provide the perfect opportunity to repost (otherwise known as regram) content, which is the act of sharing a post from someone else. Add a snippet about why you love the post to start building connections. It’s always beneficial to support other small businesses on Instagram and get involved with others in your area or industry.

One of the most daunting tasks on Instagram is gaining followers. Although producing quality content is the first step, there are a few other ways you can draw in your audience. For one, using hashtags is a great method – a photo with relevant hashtags will garner much more attention than a photo that is not hashtagged. However, don’t be tempted to overuse hashtags. Pick hashtags that are simple and popular, yet not so popular that your post will be lost in a saturated field. Business or industry-specific hashtags can help you to find your audience.

Returning to the concept of community, if you are a product-driven business, it can be valuable to get involved with some influencers or micro-influencers. Influencers are users with a strong social media following which gives them the ability to leverage that following to promote your product or service through a recommendation, review, or showcase of your product. When choosing an influencer to work with, it’s not so much the number of followers that is important, but the level of engagement on their account; how many likes and comments they have, and what type of followers they have. Luckily, there are plenty of opportunities for even smaller brands to get connected with an influencer that is a good fit.

Although you should get involved with other businesses on Instagram, it’s essential to also get involved directly with your followers. Instagram provides many helpful metrics for business accounts, such as interactions, discovery, age range of users, best time to post, and even location of users engaging with your content. These analytics are helpful for discovering the types of content which resonate best with your audience; however, your followers will offer you direct feedback as well if you are listening. Use the comments section as an opportunity to see what your followers are saying, the questions they have, and even what your competitors are up to. Live video is also a great place to seek feedback from your audience.

Overall, the goal on Instagram is to build genuine relationships. With dedicated time put into building connections on Instagram, you will be able to reach new customers, keep your existing audience engaged, and even make sales, all from one app. By posting smart, yet authentic and artistic content and seeking to build relationships, you will see your brand start to gain steam organically on this powerful, and affordable, business tool.

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